• Pepperdine University filed a trademark lawsuit against Netflix and Warner Bros. Entertainment.
• Pepperdine University said the companies used its IP in a new TV series, "Running Point."
• A judge denied the university's request for a temporary restraining order against the companies.

Mindy Kaling's new sports comedy with Netflix and Warner Bros. Entertainment is making waves at Pepperdine University.

"Running Point" is a new 10-episode TV series that follows Isla Gordon (Kate Hudson), a woman who becomes president of a professional basketball franchise called the Los Angeles Waves. Kaling, Hudson, and Los Angeles Lakers president Jeanie Buss serve as executive producers. Netflix premiered the series on Thursday.

However, the rollout was nearly benched just one week before its debut when Pepperdine University sued the entertainment companies. On February 20, the university filed a legal complaint accusing the companies of trademark infringement, trademark dilution, and false advertising. The university also asked a California judge to approve a temporary restraining order against them.

"When Defendants released and promoted the trailer for 'Running Point' on January 30, 2025, Pepperdine (and others) were immediately astounded at the striking correlations in branding between the fictional Los Angeles Waves and the real Los Angeles-based Pepperdine Waves," the university said. "The uses are too many and too close to be coincidental."

Moish E. Peltz, a partner at Falcon, Rappaport, & Berkman LLP, told Business Insider it's "certainly surprising that Warner Brothers and Netflix would go to market with such a strikingly similar sports team."

Prof. Betsy Rosenblatt of Case Western Reserve University's School of Law said the decision seemed "riskier than any number of other decisions they could have made."

Netflix referred to its opposition filing when contacted for comment.

Confusion among consumers?

In the complaint, the university said the fictitious basketball team's logo, branding, and colors were "strikingly similar" to Pepperdine's real-life sports franchise. Pepperdine University also said "Running Point" promoted a specific player number — 37 — which is worn by the school's mascot and correlates to its founding year.

"The lawsuit details how 'Running Point' portrayal of the 'Waves' team will cause consumer confusion and falsely suggest an affiliation between Pepperdine and the show," the university's press release said. "The university has also expressed deep concerns about some of the series' themes, which include explicit content, substance use, nudity, and profanity — elements that are inconsistent with Pepperdine's Christian values and reputation."

Peltz said trademark law aims to prevent consumer confusion, which is the focus of Pepperdine University's trademark infringement claim.

"Are consumers going to be confused about whether a sponsorship, affiliation, or consent was granted?" Peltz said. "That will depend on how you define the target market and who those consumers are."

Peltz said location could be considered when determining consumers' potential confusion.

"People watching Netflix on the East Coast or around the world may have no idea," he said. "People watching in the Southern California market might be scratching their heads like, 'Wait, I thought the Waves were a college team. Why are they a pro team in this thing? What's going on here?'"

Although trademark infringement is the first cause of action in the complaint, Rosenblatt said it may not be Pepperdine University's strongest claim.

"Their infringement claim based on confusion may not be that strong because maybe consumers won't think that Pepperdine is involved in this show. They just think, 'Isn't it weird that this fictional team has the same name and some indicators as Pepperdine?'" Rosenblatt said.

Trademark dilution, however, could hold more weight.

In the complaint, Pepperdine University said that Netflix and Warner Bros. Entertainment's "improper use of the asserted trademarks" could "dilute, tarnish, and disparage Pepperdine's reputation and marks."

"Particularly because the Netflix show has content that is so at odds with Pepperdine's conservative values and religious philosophy, it might harm Pepperdine's mark in that way," Rosenblatt said.

Peltz said the trademark dilution claim requires proof of fame, which would examine whether Pepperdine University's trademarks are well-known and being diluted by "Running Point."

A judge denied the university's TRO

If granted, the temporary restraining order against Netflix and Warner Bros. Entertainment would have barred them from certain actions, including airing "Running Point" episodes unless they're first edited to exclude references to the fictitious Waves team and the university's trademarks.

In a memorandum on Monday, Netflix argued against the temporary restraining order, saying the use of Waves is not "explicitly misleading" and the use is "artistically relevant," among other arguments.

A judge denied Pepperdine University's request two days later.

"The First Amendment, broadly speaking, allows people to use other people's trademarks in expressive ways," Rosenblatt said.

In response, the university's senior vice president, Sean Burnett, said the case against Netflix and Warner Bros. Entertainment will "continue on its regular course."

"We do not believe Netflix and Warner Bros. can be permitted to take the Waves trademarks and colors we have used for almost 90 years to identify Pepperdine to instead identify the team that is the subject of their series," Burnett said in a press release. "While we are disappointed with today's ruling, we believe the University will ultimately prevail and prevent the continued unauthorized use of Pepperdine's intellectual property in a way that misrepresents our institution."

Representatives for Warner Bros. Entertainment, Mindy Kaling, Kate Hudson, and Jeanie Buss, did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

• Elon Musk's DOGE had emails sent to federal workers requesting a list of what they did last week.
• The decision frustrated federal workers, many of whom risk losing their jobs.
• A career coach told BI that DOGE's approach is "fear-based management."

Elon Musk's management style has once again sparked intense debate, this time for asking federal employees to respond to an email with what they accomplished in the past week — or risk losing their jobs.

Musk, a special government employee who is the face of the DOGE White House office, is known for his disruptive leadership style at Tesla, SpaceX, and X.

He is now applying those same tactics to federal operations — with mixed reactions from business leaders and government officials.

"This method is not just ineffective, it's harmful," George Carrillo, a former Oregon government executive, told Business Insider.

Carrillo, the CEO of the Hispanic Construction Council, previously worked as a program executive at the Oregon Department of Human Services.

"Overloading employees with unrealistic demands creates instability and causes talented workers to leave, which risks disrupting the continuity and expertise the government depends on to function," he said. "I've seen firsthand how these kinds of actions can harm team dynamics and reduce public confidence."

On Saturday, federal employees received an email asking them to respond with a five-bullet-point summary of their work in the last week and to copy their manager.

"Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation," Musk said in a post on X before the emails went out.

The emails appeared to be in response to President Donald Trump, who earlier said on TruthSocial that Musk should be "more aggressive."

The email resembled one Musk sent when he took over Twitter — now rebranded as X — in 2022. Following the acquisition, Musk instructed engineers to print out their latest software code for review as a way to evaluate their skills.

Some business leaders said DOGE's approach could yield results, despite the negative reaction.

Neal K. Shah, CareYaya Health Technologies CEO, told BI that the approach shows a "commitment to rapid organizational improvement" and has "unique advantages over traditional downsizing."

Shah said DOGE's method "slices through typical government delays caused by bureaucracy" and "directly empowers employees to control the documentation of their worth."

He also said it gives leadership real-time productivity data, which could lead to long-term benefits like better documentation of work-related tasks, efficiency, and boosting public trust through "demonstrated effectiveness."

Other management experts, however, said the email demonstrated a lack of empathy and could hurt morale, ultimately reducing efficiency. Federal employees told BI that DOGE's email left them frustrated and fearful of losing their jobs. One told BI the action felt like "harassment."

Lisa Rigoli, a human resources strategist and leadership coach who founded Elements of Change, a group focused on HR consultation and leadership coaching, said the email lacked emotional intelligence and prioritized "efficiency over human-centered leadership."

"This is a clear example of how leaders are becoming increasingly disconnected from the emotional impact of their decisions," Rigoli said. "Business schools and leadership programs do a great job preparing executives intellectually, but very few equip them for the emotional demands of leadership."

Tamanna Ramesh, founder of professional training service Spark Careers, said such tactics could damage staff morale.

"Requiring employees to justify their jobs through a weekly report — under the threat of termination — is fear-based management. It doesn't drive innovation or efficiency. It fuels resentment, disengagement, and quiet quitting," Ramesh told BI. "Accountability matters, but when employees feel like they're on trial rather than trusted contributors, performance suffers."

Ramesh said performance tracking is common, but the "level of public scrutiny and punitive framing is rare."

"This approach ignores psychological safety, a key driver of high-performing teams," Ramesh said.

Rigoli told BI that DOGE's email is part of a "growing trend where leaders handle layoffs with cold efficiency rather than intentional leadership.

"We ask employees to be loyal, transparent, and committed, yet when organizations make cuts, they often default to impersonal mass communication," Rigoli said.

"Efficiency isn't about arbitrary cuts or applying pressure for the sake of it," Carrillo told BI. "Successful organizations build trust, foster collaboration, and create thoughtful strategies to meet their goals while maintaining staff morale."

He suggested making "informed' and "data-driven decisions."

"Before considering layoffs, DOGE must conduct a comprehensive workforce analysis to pinpoint priorities and address staffing gaps," Carrillo said.

• Robinhood CEO says prediction markets are the "future of not just trading, but also information."
• Vlad Tenev said he wants Robinhood to play a 'leading role' in developing them.
• Prediction markets are bets on the outcome of a future event, like an election.

Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev said his company is going all in on prediction markets, saying they're the "future."

Tenev discussed prediction markets and his financial services company during Friday's episode of "Hard Fork," a podcast produced by The New York Times. Tenev — who's worth over $3 billion — shared his opinion about how the prediction market differs from sports betting.

"I think that mechanically there's some similarities, but they're different things," Tenev said.

"First of all, I think prediction markets are the future of not just trading, but also information," he said. "I've been a big believer in the power of prediction markets for a long time — kind of a student of them — and I think prediction markets should be live for everything."

Prediction markets are essentially bets on the outcome of future events. Traders place bets based on what they believe will happen. If enough people participate, the collective input could be a strong indicator of what might actually happen.

Tenev compared prediction markets to traditional news models like newspapers and broadcast news.

"People pay for broadcast news, too, indirectly in the form of advertising. So, what prediction markets are is the news faster, right?" Tenev said. "In some cases, you get it even before it happens. So, the economic value of that as a product and service should be at least as high, and I would argue strictly greater, than the news after it happens."

Robinhood had some success with its prediction market for the 2024 presidential election, which largely predicted Donald Trump would win though Kamala Harris made a late surge after an influential Iowa poll wrongly predicted the state would land in the Democrat's column. Prediction markets on various betting platforms — normally a realm for sports — exploded in popularity during the election.

Robinhood also launched Super Bowl event contracts earlier this month but stopped the rollout after a request from the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

"At the end of the day, I think what you'll see is prediction markets are here to stay," he said. "I think some of the details around what types of prediction markets are classified in what category I think will be worked out, but Robinhood will play a leading role in that because I think this is like incredibly important technology."

Tenev talked about the potential prediction markets have for Robinhood's business during its 2024 fourth-quarter earnings call this month.

"So we were one of the few platforms that offered the ability to trade the election and that was very successful for us," Tenev said. "We had over half a billion contracts traded in right around a week leading up to the election, and so what you should expect from us is a comprehensive events platform that will give access to prediction markets across a wide variety of contracts later this year."

• Sen. Elizabeth Warren has asked the DOJ to "closely scrutinize" Disney's deal with Fubo TV.
• She said the deal reduces competition and incentivizes Disney to raise prices for consumers.
• Sports fans have complained about the rising cost of watching televised sports for years.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren has asked the Justice Department to "closely scrutinize" Disney's deal with Fubo TV, saying it could lead to consumers paying higher prices.

Warren raised concerns about Disney's moves on Tuesday in a letter addressed to the agency's Antitrust Division.

Disney fought a legal battle with Fubo in 2024 over Venu, a sports-focused streaming service Disney planned to launch with Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery. Fubo filed an antitrust lawsuit against the media giants, saying they engaged in anti-competitive practices and that launching Venu would further block Fubo's businesses.

In January, Disney announced that it settled litigation with Fubo and the two companies had reached a deal to combine Disney's Hulu + Live TV with Fubo.

Under the deal, Disney owns about 70% of Fubo and becomes the majority owner. After the deal, Disney canceled plans to roll out Venu.

In the letter, Warren wrote that the new deal "appears to allow Disney to simultaneously circumvent the lawsuit while gobbling up a competitor."

"This proposed acquisition raises significant concerns under antitrust law, would give Disney increased market power and incentives to increase costs for viewers, and should be regarded as another data point in Disney's history of anti-competitive behavior."

Regarding consumers, Warren wrote that Disney could use the lack of marketplace competition to increase costs. The rising cost of streaming sports has been a persistent complaint among consumers for years. A 2024 YouGov report found that price was one factor that prevented more Americans from watching sports on streaming services.

"If the takeover of Fubo is successful, Disney and Fubo will only increase their leverage, and could use the reduced competition and the resultant market power to raise prices even further for sports fans across the country," Warren wrote. "By simultaneously marketing Fubo and Hulu + Live TV, Disney could disguise their concentration of power in the vMVPD market, giving customers the illusion of choice while raising prices for both offerings."

Warren wrote that the deal is Disney's attempt to dominate the sports streaming marketplace and stop Fubo from "becoming the next Netflix."

"I urge DOJ not to be fooled by Disney's attempt to purchase its way around antitrust law, and to closely scrutinize this proposed acquisition," Warren wrote.

Representatives for Disney did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

As part of Disney's deal, Fubo will continue to operate as an independently publicly traded company and retain its existing management team. Fubo will also operate as a separate brand from Hulu + Live TV.

A January press release from Disney and Fubo said the deal would give viewers a variety of options.

"Fubo will have the ability to offer consumers multiple and flexible streaming options enabling them to select the streaming package that's right for them," it read.

• Hermès employees will receive a 4,500 euro bonus in response to the company's 2024 financial performance.
• Bonuses have steadily increased at Hermès despite a luxury market slump.
• Hermès earned over $15 billion in revenue last year.

Hermès employees are cashing in on the company's success.

On Friday, Hermès presented its 2024 financial report that showed better-than-expected sales. (Business Insider converted the euros to dollars based on currency rates as of Friday.)

The French luxury group said that sales reached 4 billion euros ($4.1 billion) during the fourth quarter, an 18% increase at constant and current exchange rates. Additionally, Hermès earned 15.2 billion euros ($15.9 billion) in revenue last year.

In response, Hermès employees are getting a 4,500 euro ($4,723) bonus. There are more than 25,000 staffers currently at Hermès.

"True to its commitment as a responsible employer and its willingness to share the fruits of growth with all those who contribute to it daily, Hermès will be giving out a bonus of €4,500 to all its employees worldwide at the beginning of the year in respect of 2024," the report said.

Hermès has made a habit of gifting year-end bonuses to its employees, but the amount has steadily increased over the last five years. The company offered a 1,250 euro ($1,312) bonus following its 2020 financial results, then handed out a 3,000 euro ($3,148) bonus the following year.

The bonus was bumped to 4,000 euros ($4,198) following the company's 2022 and 2023 financial results.

"In 2024, in a more uncertain economic and geopolitical context, the solid performance of the results attests to the strength of the Hermès model and the agility of the house's teams, whom I thank warmly," Axel Dumas, executive chairman of Hermès, said in a statement on Friday.

The company's financial results are a bright stop in the luxury industry, where some companies struggled to navigate a market slump in 2024. Share prices for LVMH, Burberry, and Kering all dropped last year.

Would-be luxury shoppers in China cut back on spending amid an economic crisis, while inflation prompted many Americans to avoid pricey luxury goods. In Europe, uncertainty surrounding politics led shoppers to hesitate.

"50 million luxury consumers have either opted out of the luxury goods market or been forced out of it in the last two years," Claudia D'Arpizio of consulting firm Bain & Company said in a November report.

Representatives for Hermés did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider that was made outside regular business hours.

• Singer Sheryl Crow shared an Instagram post on Friday showing her waving goodbye to her Tesla.
• Crow said her decision stemmed from her feelings toward Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
• She added that she'd donated money to NPR, which has faced recent government scrutiny.

Sheryl Crow says she's done with Tesla.

The "Soak Up the Sun" singer shared an Instagram video on Friday that showed her waving goodbye to her black Tesla.

"My parents always said… you are who you hang out with," Crow wrote in the caption. "There comes a time when you have to decide who you are willing to align with. So long Tesla."

Tesla's CEO Elon Musk is leading the Department of Government Efficiency, which is focused on reducing federal spending under President Donald Trump. The Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, has singled out agencies like the Department of Education and the Federal Aviation Administration in addition to targeting DEI initiatives.

Musk's presence among Trump's allies has garnered criticism from Democrats and galvanized rally-goers. Critics have filed several lawsuits opposing the Department of Government Efficiency's efforts. Musk is simultaneously leading Tesla, which reported its fourth-quarter earnings in January with results falling below Wall Street's estimates.

In her caption, Crow also said she was donating money to NPR.

"Money donated to @npr, which is under threat by President Musk, in hopes that the truth will continue to find its way to those willing to know the truth," Crow's caption read.

NPR has recently drawn political scrutiny from Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and others.

Greene, chairwoman of the House Oversight Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, has called the CEOs of NPR and PBS to testify in a March hearing. In her letter to the media agencies, Greene referenced NPR's coverage of the Hunter Biden laptop story and PBS's coverage of a gesture Musk made during an Inauguration Day event.

The Federal Communications Commission has also set its sights on NPR and PBS. Trump-backed FCC Chairman Brendan Carr ordered an investigation into the media agencies over concerns they could be "violating federal law by airing commercials," per a letter obtained by The New York Times.

Carr reposted Crow's video to his X account on Saturday, along with some commentary.

"I know celebrities are hesitant to weigh in on hot button issues, so I appreciate Sheryl Crow making an argument here—not through words alone, but through her actions— that Congress should not force taxpayers to subsidize NPR. Bravo," the post said.

Representatives for Tesla and Crow did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

• Hinge CEO Justin McLeod discussed how AI can help dating app users find love.
• McLeod said his company isn't interested in offering an AI agent that can date on users' behalf.
• Rather, McLeod told the New York Times dating is a journey users need to experience themselves.

Hinge CEO Justin McLeod doesn't think artificial intelligence can replace genuine human connection — especially in romance.

McLeod discussed how AI can help dating app users find love during a Valentine's Day-themed episode of The New York Times' "Hard Fork" podcast. During the interview, McLeod responded to a question about whether Hinge is interested in creating an AI-based agent to date on users' behalf.

It's a concept that has gained traction among other dating apps like Grindr, which began testing an AI "wingman" in late 2024 that users can interact with like a chatbot. Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd also floated the idea last year of users having an AI "dating concierge" that could go on dates with other users' dating concierge to weed through potential matches.

However, McLeod said Hinge isn't interested in AI taking the lead with IRL romance.

"That is not something that we're looking at," he said. "I think that we just have this principle at Hinge that AI should really stand behind us and not between us."

McLeod said people looking for love on dating apps should do the work instead of relying on AI to seal the deal.

"In a world where you're being replaced by agents who are dating on your behalf, the journey of dating is something that I think we each need to take on our own," he said.

While using an AI dating coach could give some hesitant users a nudge in the right direction, McLeod maintained that full-fledged dating agents didn't seem feasible at the moment.

"I also think just practically and technically, we're not even close to a world where you could train an agent to be enough in your voice and understand your values and personalities and actually learn these things on your behalf," McLeod said.

During the interview, McLeod also said Hinge will begin testing a feature in the coming months that can encourage user connection with tips like conversation starters.

"There's a lot of opportunity for us to help coach people to engage with a piece of content on someone's profile, whether it's a prompt or a photo," McLeod said.

Representatives for Hinge did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

• Ben & Jerry's filed a complaint against its parent company, Unilever, in 2024.
• At the time, Ben & Jerry's accused Unilever of silencing its views on the war in Gaza.
• Ben & Jerry's now says Unilever censored a statement about Trump.

President Donald Trump is mentioned alongside billionaires Elon Musk and Nelson Peltz in Ben & Jerry's lawsuit against its parent company, Unilever.

Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc. first took legal action against Unilever and its subsidiary, Conopco, filing a complaint in the US Southern District of New York in November.

In the initial complaint, Ben & Jerry's said Unilever blocked it from making statements supporting Palestinians, which the company said breached a settlement agreement and prevented it from pursuing its social mission.

"Specifically, Unilever has repeatedly failed to recognize and respect the Independent Board's primary responsibility over Ben & Jerry's Social Mission and Brand Integrity, including threatening Ben & Jerry's personnel should the company speak regarding issues which Unilever prefers to censor," the complaint said.

Ben & Jerry's said Unilever breached the settlement agreement "by threatening to dismantle the Independent Board, sue Board members, and intimidate Ben & Jerry's personnel."

The Vermont-based ice cream company has made political, social justice, and environmental activism part of its public identity. Most recently, Ben & Jerry's official TikTok account promoted the People's March in Washington, DC.

On Friday, Ben & Jerry's amended the complaint to include references to Trump, Musk, and Peltz.

Ben & Jerry's says Unilever censored a statement it made about Trump

In the amended complaint, Ben & Jerry's said it intended to publish a post on Inauguration Day "that identified several social issues Ben & Jerry's believed would be challenged during the Trump administration, including minimum wage, universal healthcare, abortion, and climate change."

However, Ben & Jerry's said Peter ter Kulve — the business group president of Unilever's ice cream division — prevented the post from going live.

"Despite weeks of working on the statement, including feedback from Unilever's Global Head of Litigation, on January 18, 2024, Peter ter Kulve unilaterally barred Ben & Jerry's from issuing the post because it specifically mentioned 'Donald Trump,'" the company said in the complaint.

Ben & Jerry's said the decision "ignored" the company's "consistent history of challenging the Trump administration."

Unilever's decision 'coincides' with Peltz's support for Trump, the complaint says

The complaint then mentions Musk and Peltz.

Musk has aligned himself with the Trump administration and leads the Department of Government Efficiency. Peltz is a wealthy investor and cofounder of Trian Fund Management who joined Unilever's board as a non-executive director in 2022.

In its complaint, Ben & Jerry's said that Unilever's decision to block its post about Trump was related to Peltz's position on the board.

"Unilever's springing objection to mentioning 'Trump' coincides with its prominent board member, Nelson Peltz, publicly supporting Mr. Trump," Ben & Jerry's said. "Unsurprisingly, within twenty-four hours of Mr. ter Kulve blocking the Inauguration Post based off a hunch rather than evidence, he hosted an Ice Cream Townhall, where he publicly touted that Mr. Peltz had been the one to introduce Elon Musk to Donald Trump."

Ben & Jerry's said Unilever had shown a "pattern and practice" of "usurping" its board's authority while hindering the company's social mission and brand integrity.

"According to Mr. ter Kulve, despite four decades of progressive social activism — and years of challenging the Trump administration's policies specifically — criticizing Trump was now too taboo for the brand synonymous with 'Peace, Love, and Ice Cream,'" the company's complaint said.

Ben & Jerry's attorney told Business Insider in a statement that the company is trying to protect its values.

"The heart of this dispute is an American institution protecting the precise values that have made it so beloved over the past four decades: social justice, equality, and free speech," the statement said. "It is a shame that Unilever today has such a difficult time understanding these principles and the unique DNA of our company."

Representatives for Unilever, Trump, Musk, and Peltz did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

• Timothée Chalamet hosted 'SNL' and joked about AI's role in education.
• AI is being integrated into classrooms around the world.
• While it could help with personalized learning, AI's use in education has risks.

Timothée Chalamet hosted NBC's 'Saturday Night Live' this weekend. In one skit, he and the cast poked fun at the use of AI in education.

In a scene set in a classroom, cast members playing students tuned into an AI podcast meant to help them learn.

Some of the answers given by the AI hosts — played by Chalamet and cast member Bowen Yang — were humorously false, referencing AI's tendency to "hallucinate" and sometimes provide users with bizarre answers to prompts.

"The school has invested in a new AI program that takes your textbooks and turns them into an educational podcast," Ego Nwodim, portraying a teacher, said in the skit. "The technology isn't perfect, but they make it sound so casual that it doesn't even feel like homework."

After Yang experienced a glitch, the pair attempted to explain photosynthesis.

"What do plants eat if it's not, like, burgers?" Chalamet asked.

"Thank you for asking me that," Bowen said. "Plants, legit, eat light."

By the end, Chalamet and Yang undergo an existential crisis during which they question where they came from.

"Do we exist?" Chalamet asked.

"What are we? Who made us?" Yang asked. "Now, I'm mad. Now, I want revenge."

AI technology is now a major part of most industries, including business, entertainment, and law, so it's not surprising that it's also becoming a tool in the teacher's toolbox.

Local media reported this month that in Arizona, students at a virtual academy will be taught by AI for two hours each day. In London, high school students prepared for exams with personalized learning using AI, which replaced their teachers.

"Students will benefit enormously from AI-powered adaptive learning, which allows every student to learn at their own pace rather than having to keep pace with a class, which often progresses too quickly for some students and too slowly for others," a coprincipal from the David Game College told BI in August.

However, educators have also had to grapple with the pitfalls of AI, like plagiarism and wrong information.

• President Donald Trump stopped in Las Vegas on Saturday.
• He discussed his proposal to exclude workers' tips from federal taxes.
• Trump said he will work with Congress to push forward legislation.

President Donald Trump stopped in Las Vegas on Saturday to share details about his administration's plan to exclude workers' tips from federal taxes.

The president first announced his proposal last June during a campaign rally, also in Nevada, where a significant portion of the workforce is in the hospitality industry and where he scored a major victory in November.

Trump would need approval for the tax change from Congress, where Republicans hold majorities in both chambers.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris, the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee, promoted a similar idea during her campaign.

While in Las Vegas, Trump said he'd work with members of Congress "in the coming weeks" to ensure a bill reaches his desk.

"No tax on tips!" Trump said as a crowd of supporters cheered nearby. During the speech, Trump said his administration would also raise worker wages, but did not share additional details.

During his speech, Trump welcomed American Hotel and Lodging Association CEO and President Rosanna Maietta onstage, where she spoke about the proposal's potential impact on the service industry.

"I am here to tell you that the American dream is alive and well in the hotel industry today," she said.

She referenced the tax bill Trump promoted in 2017 during his first administration. "The 'no tax on tips' builds on that momentum," Maietta said. "So, we are so excited to support you in that effort."

She added that her organization would urge Congress to pass Trump's proposal.

In June, however, Trump's remarks drew criticism from the Culinary Workers Union, which includes Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165. The union represents 60,000 workers in the Las Vegas and Reno areas.

"For decades, the Culinary Union has fought for tipped workers' rights and against unfair taxation," Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge said in a statement at the time. "Relief is definitely needed for tip earners, but Nevada workers are smart enough to know the difference between real solutions and wild campaign promises from a convicted felon."

In a statement to Business Insider on Saturday, Pappageorge said, "The Culinary Union welcomes plans to end taxes on tips, but it must not end there."

"Eliminating taxes on tips and ending the $2.13 sub-minimum wage — that is the reality in too many states across the country — will uplift millions of hospitality workers," he said. "Taking on both issues is critical to ensuring one job is enough for workers to support their families."

The statement urged Republicans to reach across the aisle and work with Democrats to find solutions.

"Republicans have made promises to lower the cost of living for Americans. Delivering on those commitments must start with meaningful action, and they must work with Democrats to raise the sub-minimum wage, eliminate taxes on tips, and address corporate greed driving up prices on essential goods like food, gas, and housing," Pappageorge added. "It's time for Congress to act now to deliver real solutions for working families."

Some experts who track the industry earlier told Business Insider that eliminating federal taxes on tips could have unintended negative consequences, like encouraging employers to lower wages to avoid taxes.

Martha Gimbel, the executive director of Yale University's Budget Lab, told BI that a new system would create "an incentive for employers to try to get more of their workers' compensation in the form of tips."

Gimbel said the proposal could let business owners shift the onus for employee salaries onto customers and claim tax breaks through lower payroll and Social Security fees.

Representatives for the White House did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Trump's speech in Nevada comes one day after he visited California to address the wildfires that have devastated parts of Los Angeles County and elsewhere.

While at a roundtable with local California officials, the president said he would help fund relief efforts but did not detail how much federal aid California could receive.

Trump also said he would implement an executive order to direct more water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to Southern California and Central Valley.

On Friday, Trump also visited North Carolina, where some parts of the state are still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Helene.

Trump on Friday also floated overhauling or eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency, calling it a "big disappointment."

The president said his administration was eyeing mechanisms for potentially empowering governors when it comes to disaster aid.

• President Donald Trump's children are often at his side, both in business and politics.
• All five of them attended his second inauguration, including Donald Trump Jr. and Barron Trump.
• Here are 21 photos of the Trump children through the years.

The five children of President Donald Trump have long been a fixture in his business and politics.

Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, Tiffany Trump, and Barron Trump were all present when he was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, marking the start of his second term.

Here are 21 photos of the Trump children through the years.

1993: Eric Trump and Ivanka Trump.

Eric and Ivanka accompanied their mother, Ivanna Trump, to a fundraiser in 1993, where they met late Italian businessman Riccardo Mazzucchelli and Italian model Fabio.

1995: Ivanka Trump and Tiffany Trump.

Ivanka Trump held Tiffany Trump while attending an event with their father in 1995.

1996: Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Tiffany Trump and Ivanka Trump.

Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Tiffany Trump gathered at Trump Tower in 1996 to celebrate their father's 50th birthday. President Trump's second wife, Marla Maples, also attended the event.

2005: Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump.

Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump posed with their father in 2005 at the Fashion Group International 22nd annual Night of Stars event in New York City.

2006: Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr.

Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. posed together during a party at New York City's FAO Schwarz in December 2006.

2006: Tiffany Trump, Ivanka Trump, and Donald Trump Jr.

A 12-year-old Tiffany posed alongside Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and President Donald Trump at "The Apprentice" season 5 finale party in 2006.

2007: Barron Trump and Tiffany Trump.

First Lady Melania Trump held her son, Barron Trump, while posing for photos with Tiffany Trump in 2007. Members of the Trump family attended an Easter Sunday event at the Mar-a-Lago Club.

2008: Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, and Donald Trump Jr.

Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr. supported Eric Trump during the Eric Trump Foundation Golf Outing at the Trump National Golf Club in 2008.

2009: Donald Trump Jr., Barron Trump, Ivanka Trump, and Eric Trump.

Donald Trump Jr., Barron Trump, Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, and First Lady Melania Trump smiled for photographs in 2009 at a book launch celebration for Ivanka. She released her book, "The Trump Card: Playing to Win in Work and Life," that year.

2010: Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump.

Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump sat beside their father, Donald, during the "Celebrity Apprentice" live season finale in May 2010.

2011: Ivanka Trump and Tiffany Trump.

In 2011, Ivanka Trump launched a footwear collection at Nordstrom Topanga in California. Her sister, Tiffany Trump, attended the event.

2015: The Trump family, including Eric Trump and Lara Trump.

President Donald Trump first announced his candidacy for US president in 2015. Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, Tiffany Trump, and Barron Trump appeared by his side.

Several other family members, including Lara Trump and Jared Kushner, also appeared beside President Trump.

2017: Barron Trump, Tiffany Trump, Eric Trump, Ivanka Trump, and Donald Trump Jr.

Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States in 2017. All five of his children were photographed at the inauguration ceremony.

2018: Donald Trump Jr. and Tiffany Trump.

Donald Trump Jr. and Tiffany Trump walked towards Marine One in 2018 as they prepared to depart from the White House South Lawn.

2022: Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, Tiffany Trump, and Barron Trump.

President Trump's first wife, Ivana Trump, died in 2022.

All five of his children attended the funeral in New York City and were photographed outside of St. Vincent Ferrer Roman Catholic Church.

2023: Eric Trump.

Members of President Donald Trump's family appeared during his civil fraud trial at the New York State Supreme Court in 2023. Eric Trump sat next to his attorneys when he testified that year.

Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump also testified during the trial.

2024: Donald Trump Jr., Tiffany Trump, and Eric Trump.

Donald Trump Jr. spoke during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania just days before the 2024 US presidential election. Members of the Trump family joined him onstage, including President Donald Trump, Eric Trump, and Tiffany Trump.

Eric Trump's wife, Lara Trump, and Tiffany Trump's husband, Michael Boulos, stood nearby.

2024: Ivanka Trump and Tiffany Trump.

The Trump sisters supported President Donald Trump at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Wisconsin.

2024: Barron Trump, Ivanka Trump, and their siblings.

Members of President Donald Trump's family, including Barron Trump and Ivanka Trump, gathered in West Palm Beach for an election night event in 2024. Trump's other children were also photographed at the event.

They were accompanied by Vice President JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance, and Melania Trump's father, Viktor Knavs

2025: Barron Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, Ivanka Trump, and Tiffany Trump.

An inaugural parade was held inside the Capitol One Arena in Washington, DC on January 20 for President Donald Trump. Barron Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, Ivanka Trump, and Tiffany Trump were all there.

2025: Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, Tiffany Trump, and Barron Trump.

All five of President Donald Trump's children hit the dance floor during the Starlight Ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center after the inauguration. Vice President JD Vance also danced with his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance.

• TikTok went dark for American users on Saturday night.
• TikTok users directed their anger at Mark Zuckerberg and Meta.
• TikTok began returning on Sunday after Trump said he'd issue an executive order delaying a ban.

The hate train started almost immediately after TikTok went dark.

"Why do you ruin everything you touch," one Instagram user wrote.

"Btw tik tok is a better app. Reels will never be tik tok, reels only exist cus of tik tok. You stole stories from snap chat and you made threads cus of twitter," another wrote.

"You are hated by 170 million people," wrote yet another.

All these comments from so-called TikTok 'refugees' showed up on Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's most recent Instagram post, which was posted shortly after TikTok went dark for American users on Saturday night. The video of a surfing Zuckerberg, which was initially filled with Instagram users lauding his skills, was quickly overrun with angry users.

Their frustration may be short-lived. TikTok announced Sunday it was 'restoring service' after President-election Donald Trump said he would issue an executive order on Monday delaying the ban.

For those few hours, however — and for the days leading up to the potential ban — TikTok users directed their ire at Meta apps like Instagram and Facebook. A flyer promoting a boycott of the apps — dubbed "Lights Out Meta" and scheduled from January 19 to 26 — circulated on Reddit.

Others flocked to RedNote, another Chinese-owned app, and Lemon8, TikTok's sister app, the fate of which appears to be following that of TikTok.

On X, users said their frustrations stemmed in part from the US government citing national security concerns as a reason to ban TikTok.

When the Supreme Court upheld the law on Friday that requires TikTok to divest its US-based operations or effectively cease operations, the justices said it was "necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok's data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary."

Some X users said that stance is hypocritical because American-based apps like Facebook have also shared user data with foreign entities. Facebook said it had data-sharing partnerships with at least four Chinese electronics companies — including Huawei — in 2018, according to The New York Times. The outlet reported that American intelligence officials had previously flagged Huawei as a national security threat.

More recently, senators sent a letter to Zuckerberg questioning Meta about documents showing that Facebook developers in China and Russia had access to user data, according to Reuters. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio shared the letter on his website in 2023.

"It appears from these documents that Facebook has known, since at least September 2018, that hundreds of thousands of developers in countries Facebook characterized as 'high-risk,' including the People's Republic of China (PRC), had access to significant amounts of sensitive user data," the letter read.

One X user cited The New York Times article about Facebook's data-sharing partnerships with Chinese companies.

"Folks forgot about this with all the focus on TikTok, but Meta/Facebook was selling your data to China for years," the user wrote.

As some American TikTok users regained access to their accounts, they celebrate on competing social media sites.

"MY TIKTOK IS WORKING ITS BACK EVERYONE," one X user wrote.

A representative for Meta did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

• Elon Musk wrote "Make Europe Great Again" in an X post on Saturday.
• Musk has used X to share support for far-right political parties in Europe.
• His remarks have drawn ire from political leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Elon Musk continues to champion right-wing politics in Europe.

Musk shared an X post on Saturday that invoked President-elect Donald Trump's world-famous campaign slogan, "Make America Great Again."

"From MAGA to MEGA: Make Europe Great Again!" the tech billionaire wrote.

In a separate post, Musk said, "So many people in Europe lack hope for the future or think Europe is 'bad' in some way. Pervasive pessimism. This will lead to the end of Europe. Therefore, it must change."

Representatives for Musk did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Musk has previously promoted right-wing political parties and agendas in Europe, including in a December 2024 op-ed in a prominent German newspaper. The op-ed called the Alternative for Germany party — or AfD — the "last spark of hope for this country."

"The AfD advocates a controlled immigration policy that gives priority to integration and the preservation of German culture and security. This is not about xenophobia, but about ensuring that Germany does not lose its identity in the pursuit of globalization," Musk wrote. "A nation must preserve its core values and cultural heritage to remain strong and united."

That same month, Musk called German Chancellor Olaf Scholz an "incompetent fool" on X and suggested he should resign.

Musk owns a Tesla Gigafactory near Berlin, which has been the source of local tension. Last year, a clash between police and protestors, who said the factory's expansion would deplete local forests and water resources, broke out.

Thomas Zittel, a politics professor at Goethe University Frankfurt, told Business Insider that Musk's "motivation to comment on German party politics may be driven by his own experiences during the construction" of the factory. He added that there was "probably too much bureaucracy and regulation for his taste."

"After all, he thinks in terms of disruption," Zittel said.

Musk has also waded into UK politics. Earlier this month, he advocated on X for the release of Tommy Robinson, a far-right English agitator. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, breached a court order not to repeat false claims about a refugee from Syria and was jailed last year. Robinson was sued for defamation over the claims.

Five days later, Musk shared a poll on X asking if America should "liberate the people of Britain from their tyrannical government."

Musk's comments have drawn criticism from political leaders across Europe.

Scholz responded to Musk's op-ed during an interview this month. "There are many people on social media who want to attract attention with strong slogans," he said. "The rule is: Don't feed the troll."

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also discussed Musk during a speech without naming him this month. "Those who are spreading lies and misinformation as far and as wide as possible are not interested in victims — they're interested in themselves," Starmer said.

• TikTok said it would "go dark" for American users on January 19 unless Biden intervened.
• A White House spokesperson called TikTok's statement a "stunt."
• The Supreme Court upheld a law requiring TikTok's US operations to be sold by Sunday or face a ban.

TikTok said Friday it would be forced to go dark on Sunday, the day a ban on the platform is set to take effect, unless the Biden administration intervenes.

On Saturday, the Biden administration called TikTok's statement a "stunt."

"It is a stunt, and we see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump Administration takes office on Monday," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told Reuters. "We have laid out our position clearly and straightforwardly: actions to implement this law will fall to the next administration. So TikTok and other companies should take up concerns with them."

TikTok said on Friday that it would be forced to turn off its app unless the Biden administration assured service providers it wouldn't enforce the ban.

"Unless the Biden Administration immediately provides a definitive statement to satisfy the most critical service providers assuring non-enforcement, unfortunately TikTok will be forced to go dark on January 19," the statement continued.

The law, which was passed by Congress and signed by Biden last spring, requires ByteDance, its China-based parent company, to sell the app's US operations by January 19 or be banned.

The law specifically bans US app stores, like Apple's and Google's, from carrying or updating the app. Companies that violate the law could face fines of up to $5,000 per user who accesses TikTok.

The Biden administration said this week it does not plan to enforce the ban since it is set to take effect one day before President Joe Biden leaves office and President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in.

"President Biden's position on TikTok has been clear for months, including since Congress sent a bill in overwhelming, bipartisan fashion to the President's desk: TikTok should remain available to Americans, but simply under American ownership or other ownership that addresses the national security concerns identified by Congress in developing this law," Jean-Pierre said.

The Justice Department, meanwhile, issued a statement on Friday supporting the Supreme Court's decision, adding: "The next phase of this effort — implementing and ensuring compliance with the law after it goes into effect on January 19 — will be a process that plays out over time."

Trump has said he does not support banning TikTok and will work on finding a solution.

During a phone interview with NBC News' Kristen Welker on Saturday, Trump said he would "most likely" give TikTok a 90-day extension after Monday. However, he told Welker he hasn't made a final decision on the potential ban yet.

"I think that would be, certainly, an option that we look at. The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it's appropriate. You know, it's appropriate. We have to look at it carefully. It's a very big situation," Trump said.

"If I decide to do that, I'll probably announce it on Monday," he told Welker.

In a video on Friday, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew thanked Trump for his commitment to saving the app.

On Truth Social, Trump said he had spoken with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on the phone and said the call was a "very good one" and that they discussed "balancing Trade, Fentanyl, TikTok, and many other subjects."

It's unclear what TikTok will look like on users' phones come Sunday if the app goes "dark" and whether the video platform's fate in the US will be permanent.

Some workarounds could bring the app back to life, including brokering a deal to sell it to a US buyer.

Figures from Kevin O'Leary of Shark Tank to YouTuber MrBeast have expressed interest in buying the app.

BI's Peter Kafka reported that Bytedance hasn't publicly shown interest in selling TikTok or indicated any progress in a deal with a non-Chinese buyer so far.

There's also the possibility that the Trump administration could issue an executive order reversing the ban under the argument that the move is related to foreign affairs and national security interests.

A spokesperson for Trump did not respond to a request for comment.

• Israel's government approved a cease-fire and hostage deal with Hamas this week.
• The cease-fire began on Sunday as Hamas released its first few hostages.
• 3 hostages returned to Israel, where they were treated at a hospital near Tel Aviv.

A cease-fire in the war in Gaza went into effect on Sunday morning after an almost three-hour delay.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced that the cease-fire would commence at 11:15 a.m. local time.

The announcement came after Israel said it had received the names of hostages due to be released on Sunday.

Under the terms of the agreement, the cease-fire will last six weeks. During this period, 33 Israeli hostages are scheduled to be exchanged for 737 Palestinian prisoners.

The first three Israeli hostages — Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Doron Steinbrecher — were released on Sunday. Israel said the three women were returned to Israeli territory and underwent an initial medical assessment.

President Joe Biden had announced the deal in a farewell address earlier this week.

"After eight months of nonstop negotiation, my administration — by my administration, a ceasefire and a hostage deal has been reached by Israel and Hamas, the elements of which I laid out in great detail in May of this year," Biden said.

US officials helped broker the deal in Qatar.

In a statement on X on Saturday, Majed Al Ansari, a spokesperson for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that the cease-fire would begin on Sunday but advised caution to Gazans: "We advise the inhabitants to take precaution, exercise the utmost caution, and wait for directions from official sources."

How the cease-fire agreement could be implemented

The deal is set to include multiple phases.

The first stage is expected to include 33 hostages — most of whom are alive — released on "humanitarian" grounds, an Israeli spokesperson told reporters at a briefing. This will consist of women, children, older people, as well as hostages who are sick.

A second phase, which is still being worked out, would see a "permanent end" to the war, Biden has said.

The president added that this phase would include the release of the remainder of the living hostages, with the rest of the Israeli forces withdrawing from Gaza.

In the third phase, any remains of hostages who have been killed would be returned to their families, and a major reconstruction plan would be set in motion for Gaza.

So far, 117 hostages have been returned alive to Israel, including 105 freed as part of a prisoner exchange in November 2023.

The cease-fire deal intends to end the brutal conflict, which has seen large areas of Gaza destroyed and left the militant group severely battered. The Hamas-run health ministry says Israel's military offensive in the coastal enclave has killed more than 46,000 people. It does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

Negotiations for a cease-fire deal have been ongoing for many months.

President-elect Donald Trump said his victory in November directly contributed to the deal coming to fruition. "We have achieved so much without even being in the White House," he wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform.

• A former Disney employee agreed to plead guilty to altering allergen info on restaurant menus.
• Michael Scheuer admitted to the hack, as well as adding swastikas to the memus.
• He faces up to 10 years in prison for his charges, according to the plea agreement.

A former menu production manager for Disney World has admitted to altering allergen information and adding swastikas to menus as part of a plea agreement.

Federal authorities charged Michael Scheuer in October with causing the transmission of a program, information, code, or command to a protected computer and intentionally causing damage. Disney had fired Scheuer months earlier for misconduct, according to the criminal complaint.

In a plea agreement filed Friday in Florida federal court, first reported by Court Watch, Scheuer pleaded guilty to hacking and one count of aggravated identity theft. He faces a maximum of 10 years and a mandatory minimum of two years in prison for the charges.

The plea says the government agreed to recommend that Scheuer receive a downward adjustment on the length of his sentence for agreeing to take responsibility for the charges.

Scheuer also agreed to pay restitution to his victims, including Disney.

The agreement says that Scheuer changed allergen information on some of Disney's menus to falsely show that items were safe for people with allergies, which "could have had fatal consequences depending on the type and severity of the customer's allergy."

Scheuer also admitted to changing the regions of wines on some menus, some of which he changed to the locations of mass shootings, the plea agreement says.

"Scheuer also added or embedded images to one or more menus, including in one instance a swastika," the document says.

On some Disney menus that contained a QR code to show a digital version of the menu, Scheuer changed the code to direct to a website promoting the boycott of Israel, the document says. Manufacturers printed some menus with the falsified QR codes, but caught the change before they were distributed.

By the end of his hacking campaign, Scheuer had impacted "nearly every menu in the system," according to court documents.

"The entire repository of menus had to be reverted to older versions and brought up to date manually," the agreement says.

Scheuer's attorney, David Haas, did not immediately return a request for comment from Business Insider. Haas told CNBC that Scheuer is "prepared to accept responsibility for his conduct."

"Unfortunately, he has mental health issues that were exacerbated when Disney fired him upon his return from paternity leave," he told the outlet.

Disney did not immediately return a request for comment about Scheuer's plea agreement.

Disney became embroiled in a separate controversy involving food allergens in 2024 when a widowed husband filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the entertainment giant. The lawsuit said the man's wife experienced a "severe acute allergic reaction" and died after eating at a restaurant operated at Disney Springs.

Lawyers for Disney asked an Orange County court to dismiss the lawsuit because the husband previously purchased theme park tickets and signed up for a free Disney+ trial, but criticism from the public caused them to reverse course.

• Dana White grew the UFC into a multibillion-dollar company after acquiring it in 2001.
• In that time, White also became a close ally of President-elect Donald Trump.
• Now, he is joining Meta's board of directors.

Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White has been on quite the journey over the last two decades.

From managing MMA fighters to appearing at the Republican National Convention three times to support President-elect Donald Trump, White has become a global figure in both sports and politics.

And now he's entered the sphere of Big Tech, joining the board of directors at Mark Zuckerberg's Meta.

Here's how White went from a small-time trainer to the board of one of the world's most influential tech companies in just a few years.

White purchases the UFC in 2001 for $2 million.

White started out as a boxing trainer in Las Vegas and then Boston before shifting focus to mixed martial arts, he told Forbes in a 2014 interview.

Eventually, White managed MMA fighters who participated in UFC bouts, which resulted in a contract dispute with the UFC. White told the outlet that the contract dispute motivated him to find a way to beat the UFC.

His plan involved two of his childhood friends, Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta.

"I ended up finding that out, that they're in trouble, and they're probably going to go out of business," White said, referring to the UFC. "And I'd been to a [UFC] event, and I was looking around and thinking, 'Imagine if they did this, and imagine if they did that. This thing could actually be really big.'"

So, White said, he called his friends and suggested that together they try to buy the UFC.

The brothers founded Zuffa, LLC and purchased the UFC for $2 million in 2001. White took over as president and received a 9% stake. He then began to turn the company into an MMA juggernaut.

That year, White hosted a UFC battle at the now-defunct Trump Taj Mahal casino and resort in Atlantic City.

White told The Hill in 2018 that the UFC's popularity grew, in part, because of Trump's early support. When he first purchased the UFC, the company, as well as mixed martial arts more broadly, the sport faced criticism for its violent fighting style.

"Any good thing that happened to me in my career, Donald Trump was the first to pick up the phone and call and say 'congratulations,'" he told the outlet.

White takes the UFC mainstream.

Under its new leadership, the UFC gradually became a mainstream success. MMA stars like Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey attracted more attention to the sport, which led to more ticket sales and higher revenue.

In 2016, the company said it raked in $17.7 million in ticket sales, and over 20,400 guests attended UFC 205, its inaugural event in New York City. UFC 306, held last September in Las Vegas, generated $22 million in ticket sales.

The official UFC website said its programming is now broadcast in over 165 countries and territories to over one billion households worldwide. BetMGM, a sports betting partnership between MGM Resorts International and Entain Holding, valued the UFC at $12 billion in November 2024.

White faces controversy as head of the UFC.

White's time with the UFC hasn't been seamless. Some fighters have accused White of underpaying them.

Last October, a Las Vegas judge approved a class action settlement that requires the UFC to pay $375 million to fighters who accused the UFC, and its parent company, of violating antitrust laws to block rival promoters and maintain exclusive deals with fighters. The UFC and White have denied any wrongdoing.

Some also criticized White for his push to hold UFC events during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and after a video published by TMZ showed him slapping his wife, Anne White, in 2023.

The UFC is sold in a multibillion-dollar deal.

The Fertitta brothers sold the UFC in 2016 for just under $4 billion. White remained its president after the sale and became CEO in 2023 after the UFC's parent company merged with WWE to create TKO Group Holdings.

White remains the face of the UFC, which often attracts celebrities and other big-name figures to events. Trump attended UFC 309 after winning the presidential election in November. Elon Musk, Kid Rock, and Joe Rogan also appeared.

Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon's Jeff Bezos have also attended UFC fights.

White told The Hill in 2018 that he would "never say anything negative about Donald Trump because he was there when other people weren't."

White joins Trump's inner circle.

White has advocated for Trump and his political positions since the beginning of the president-elect's political career. He spoke onstage during the 2016 Republican National Convention, appeared virtually in 2020, and again at the most recent convention in 2024.

White has also appeared at Trump campaign events and gave a speech during Trump's 2024 presidential election night event.

"Nobody deserves this more than him, and nobody deserves this more than his family does. This is what happens when the machine comes after you," White said, according to The Hill.

White called Trump a "fighter."

"I'm in the tough guy business, and this man is the toughest, most resilient human being that I've ever met in my life," he said, standing among Trump's family.

Mark Zuckerberg's Meta appoints White to its board of directors.

Meta announced in January that White and two others would join its board of directors.

"I've never been interested in joining a board of directors until I got the offer to join Meta's board. I am a huge believer that social media and AI are the future," White said in a statement. "I am very excited to join this incredible team and to learn more about this business from the inside. There is nothing I love more than building brands, and I look forward to helping take Meta to the next level."

Zuckerberg's interest in MMA and the UFC has helped foster a relationship between the two men. Like White, Zuckerberg has also supported Trump and his policy positions. Zuckerberg recently announced Meta would roll back DEI efforts and dial back content moderation.

Zuckerberg told Rogan on his podcast last week that he is "optimistic" about Trump's potential impact on American businesses.

Representatives for the UFC did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

• Wildfires are ravaging the Los Angeles area, spreading rapidly due to dry and windy conditions.
• The fires have burned through over 40,000 acres. Officials report that at least 24 people have died.
• Analysts estimate damages caused by the fires may top $50 billion — breaking previous state records.

Across Los Angeles, a series of wildfires fanned by the powerful Santa Ana winds have been leveling homes in the area for nearly a week, leaving a path of record-breaking destruction in their wake.

The largest of the fires, ripping through the wealthy enclave of the Pacific Palisades, was just 13% contained as of late Sunday, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

On Sunday, it was moving toward the densely populated neighborhood of Encino in the San Fernando Valley.

About 30 miles northeast, the Eaton Fire, which is now 27% contained, is threatening the city of Altadena.

Over 40,000 acres have burned in four separate blazes, and the LA County Medical Examiner has reported 24 deaths related to the fires so far.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Sunday the fires would likely be the worst natural disaster in US history, noting that the death toll is expected to rise.

"I think it will be in terms of just the costs associated with it, in terms of the scale and scope," Newsom told NBC's Meet the Press. "I've got search and rescue teams out. We've got cadaver dogs out. And there's likely to be a lot more."

Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna said during a Sunday morning press conference that over 100,000 residents near the Palisades and Eaton fires are now under evacuation orders, and authorities have told another 87,000 to be ready to leave at any time.

The National Weather Service said in a Monday update that "extremely dangerous fire weather conditions" were due to develop across coastal southern California, with gusts of up to 70 mph by Tuesday.

It issued a high wind warning early Sunday morning for the mountain areas near the Hurst and Eaton fires, and a high wind watch for the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area from Monday evening to Wednesday afternoon.

"We're expecting north, northeast wind gusts anywhere from 35 to 55 miles per hour, maybe locally stronger on Tuesday, very low humidity, and again, the vegetation is still very, very dry," NWS meteorologist Rich Thompson said during a Sunday afternoon press conference.

"That leads a recipe to produce some very critical fire weather conditions," he added.

Dennis Burns, a fire behavior analyst for the California Incident Management Team, said during a Sunday press conference that, in addition to fanning the existing flames, the anticipated winds over the coming days increase the risk of new fires breaking out.

"With the predicted winds, we could potentially see spot fires up to two miles away, maybe even farther," Burns said.

A representative for the electric services company Southern California Edison said on Sunday that around 63,000 residences were without power, a number that has grown due to implementing power shut-offs for public safety.

Local water districts have also issued numerous water advisories, warning residents not to drink or use the water, which may be contaminated with debris from the fire.

Moderate air pollution has also been reported in many parts of LA.

Amid the devastation, residents have also faced opportunistic looters targeting empty properties, inaccurate evacuation orders sent out in error through the county's emergency alert system, and rapidly spreading misinformation online regarding evacuation zones and the cause of the fire.

Analysts from JPMorgan have estimated that the blazes tearing through the region may lead to about $50 billion in total economic losses — including over $20 billion in insured losses.

If the estimates prove to be accurate, the damage caused by the current fires would be significantly more severe than the 2018 Camp Fires, which racked up $10 billion in insured losses.

California has, in recent years, been subject to a mass exodus of major insurers, including State Farm. The company announced in 2023 that it would stop accepting new home insurance policies in the state, citing risks from catastrophes.

Palisades Fire

The Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades area north of Santa Monica has burned through over 23,700 acres and was 13% contained as of late Sunday, according to Cal Fire.

The cause of the fire, which started on Tuesday morning, is still under investigation.

Over 5,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed. Officials have confirmed that more than 420 homes in Malibu and the Pacific Palisades have been incinerated.

The wealthy enclave houses many celebrities who have now lost their homes, including Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal, and Milo Ventimiglia.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office has reported eight deaths related to the Palisades fire so far.

Eaton Fire

The Eaton Fire, which has impacted the Pasadena-Altadena area since it began on Tuesday, has now swept through more than 14,100 acres, according to Cal Fire. The blaze is 27% contained.

"The firefighters have made good progress coming up the west side of the shoulder of the fire," Ernie Villa, an operations section chief for the California Interagency Incident Management Team, said during a Sunday afternoon press conference.

However, as wind conditions are expected to worsen in the coming days, firefighters will have their work cut out for them to keep the area safe, he said.

"In my career, I've never seen the amount of devastation and destruction that exists here. So a lot of work. It's going to be long-term," Villa added.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said during a press conference on Sunday morning that more than 7,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed by the Eaton Fire.

Sixteen deaths have so far been attributed to the Eaton Fire, according to a Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office report.

Other fires

While the Palisades and Eaton fires have grown to be the largest in size, additional smaller fires have been reported throughout the region.

The Hurst Fire, impacting the northern part of the San Fernando Valley, started late Tuesday night and spread to about 800 acres. According to Cal Fire, it was 95% contained as of late Sunday.

Evacuation orders for the area were lifted on Thursday afternoon.

The Kenneth Fire, now 100% contained, has covered just over 1,050 acres across Los Angeles and Ventura counties after starting on Thursday, per Cal Fire. The evacuation orders related to the blaze have been lifted.

Further North, the Lidia Fire broke out Wednesday in the Angeles National Forest and burned 395 acres in three days before being 100% contained, Cal Fire said.

• A Los Angeles County official criticized GoFundMe, citing a large fee for a donation she made.
• The official, however, was likely mistaken about the size of the fee.
• The moment illustrated the heightened emotions among those fighting the fires in Los Angeles County.

A Los Angeles County official publicly criticized GoFundMe on Saturday for charging people high transaction fees for fire-related fundraisers.

The official, however, was likely mistaken about the size of the fee.

It was an emotionally charged moment that brought home the stress — and financial pressure — facing many residents of Los Angeles County as the fires raged for the fifth consecutive day.

Thousands have lost their homes, and hundreds of thousands have been ordered to evacuate or warned they may need to at any moment.

During a press conference updating the public on the scale of the disaster and what emergency crews and officials were doing to help, Kathryn Barger, a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, singled out the crowdfunding platform.

"Let me go off-script for a minute," Barger said. Barger said she intended to donate $500 through GoFundMe to a friend who had "lost everything" in the fires.

"I was shocked to find out that to give $500, they were going to charge me $95," she said. "So, I'm going to be reaching out to the CEO of GoFundMe to find out if, at the very least, they can cut the cost in order to ensure that the money goes directly to the family."

Barger said she understood that GoFundMe is a company and "they deserve to be able to pay for their overhead, but at the same time, we are in a crisis."

"These families are suffering," she said.

Barger did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment, but she was likely mistaken about the size of the fee.

GoFundMe charges 2.9% plus $0.30 for each transaction, which "helps us pay our payment processors and safely deliver funds," the company said in a statement to Business Insider. There is also an option "tip" that users can leave that goes to the platform.

According to the above numbers, a $500 donation would incur less than $15 in required fees.

"The comments made at the press conference were inaccurate," the spokesperson said. "GoFundMe is primarily powered by voluntary tips and relies on these completely optional contributions from donors to maintain our quality customer service, trust and safety protections, and world-class fundraising technology."

GoFundMe has become the default fundraising platform for those suffering from disasters in the United States, as well as elsewhere in the world. When fires tore through Maui in 2023, users donated some $30 million to relief efforts, GoFundMe told Fox Business at the time.

Many of the residents who have lost their homes will be forced to scramble to find new ways to pay for housing and rebuild after insurance companies, since 2022, stopped writing new policies for fire coverage, pulled back coverage, or dropped residents altogether.

In March, State Farm, the state's largest home insurance provider, dropped 72,000 property policies in the state, including 69% of policies in Pacific Palisades. The recent fires hit Pacific Palisades hard, burning thousands of homes, including those of many celebrities.

• 23andMe faced major hurdles in 2024, including a $30 million settlement related to compromised data.
• 23andMe is now restructuring its business operations to reduce costs and streamline operations.
• A 23andMe spokesperson said the company is "consistently focused on maintaining the privacy of our customers."

23andMe CEO Anne Wojcicki sounded optimistic about the company's future during an earnings call in February last year.

She said the biotech company, which offers direct-to-consumer genetic testing, made strides with its new preventive care membership service, signed a $20 million research agreement with biopharma company GSK, and saw "repeated engagement" by its customers, among other triumphs.

Then the rest of the year happened.

Here's a breakdown of what went wrong for 23andMe.

CEO Anne Wojcicki proposed making 23andMe a private company but faced pushback

Despite operating for nearly two decades without profit, 23andMe went public in 2021 and reached a $6 billion valuation. The company's stocks were priced at $11.13 a share, but they've fallen significantly since then. The stock price has dropped 98% over the past several years. It stood at $3.84 on January 10.

Wojcicki proposed that 23andMe revert to a private company in a July 2024 SEC filing, saying she believed the company would "be best equipped to execute against this mission as a private entity, allowing us to remove certain public company costs and distractions."

However, a special committee formed by 23andMe's board of directors rejected the proposal five days later.

"We are disappointed with the proposal for multiple reasons, including because it provides no premium to the closing price per share on Wednesday, July 31st, it lacks committed financing, and it is conditional in nature," the special committee's letter to Wojcicki said. "Accordingly, we view your proposal as insufficient and not in the best interest of the non-affiliated shareholders."

The special committee said it would review a revised proposal, but a September letter indicated that members had not received a "fully financed, fully diligence, actionable proposal."

A 23andMe spokesperson told Business Insider that Wojcicki still intends to take the company private.

23andMe agreed to a $30 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit

Privacy concerns have dogged 23andMe for years, but in 2023, worry became a reality for users when their data was compromised. That October, hackers said they accessed certain users' names, birth details, ethnicities, and photos.

23andMe confirmed in December that data for almost 7 million users was accessed. A data breach notification filed in January 2024 said it took the company five months to realize hackers had accessed the data.

Affected users filed a class-action lawsuit against 23andMe this March, which led to the company agreeing to pay the $30 million settlement in September 2024.

The entirety of 23andMe's independent board of directors resigned in a letter

One week after the company agreed to settle the class-action lawsuit, all seven independent directors on 23andMe's board resigned in a letter addressed to Wojcicki.

"While we continue to wholeheartedly support the Company's mission and believe deeply in the value of the personalized health and wellness offering that you have articulated, it is also clear that we differ on the strategic direction for the Company going forward," the letter said.

The letter also referenced Wojcicki's revised proposal to take the 23andMe private, saying members of the special committee and board had "not seen any notable progress over the last 5 months."

"The Special Committee is therefore unwilling to consider further extensions, and the Board agrees with the Special Committee's determination," the letter said.

The sudden resignation spurred headlines in the media about 23andMe's unsteady footing. The company sought to address this imbalance by appointing three new independent directors to its board in October 2024.

"The new independent directors look forward to working closely with Anne Wojcicki and the Company's management team to best position 23andMe for the future," Jensen said in a press release.

23andMe's reputation with consumers stalled in late 2024 over 'third-party takeover proposals'

Some consumers grew concerned in September 2024 when an SEC filing said Wojcicki "would be open to considering third-party takeover proposals for the Company."

The remarks prompted consumers to reckon with the potential consequences, which The Atlantic reported could include the sale of their personal genetic data.

Wojcicki walked back her remark in a separate filing.

"Accordingly, in order to update my prior statement and avoid any confusion in the market, I am no longer open to considering third-party takeover proposals for the Issuer," she said in the filing.

A 23andMe spokesperson told BI that Wojcicki "has publicly shared she intends to take the company private, and is not open to considering third-party takeover proposals."

The statement added: "Anne has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the company's mission and values, and to its customers, pledging to maintain 23andMe's strong security and privacy policies, including following the intended completion of the acquisition she is pursuing."

23andMe lays off 40% of its workforce and discontinues its therapeutics programs

23andMe made a decisive pivot in November 2024 as it continued to chase stable footing. The company reduced its staff by over 200 employees.

"The business restructuring is expected to substantially reduce operating expenses and result in annualized cost savings of more than $35 million," the company said in a press release.

23andMe also said it will discontinue its therapeutics programs and "wind down" ongoing clinical trials.

"In parallel with the discontinuation of its therapeutics division, the Company is actively exploring all strategic options for a limited time to maximize the value of its therapeutics programs, including licensing agreements, asset sales, or other transactions," the company said.

23andMe published its most recent second-quarter financial results in November. The company said it earned $44 million in total revenue, a 12% decrease from the $50 million recorded in the same period the previous year. Operating expenses reached $84 million, a 17% decrease from the $101 million recorded for the same period in 2023.

23andMe said it had 'substantial doubt' the company could survive without more funding

In a November 2024 SEC filing, 23andMe expressed concern over its longevity. The company said it would need additional liquidity to fund its financial commitments and expenditures.

"The Company has determined that, as of the filing date of this report, there is substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern," 23andMe said.

The filing also said that as of September 2024, the company "had an accumulated deficit of $2.3 billion and cash and cash equivalents of $126.6 million."

A 23andMe spokesperson said the company is committed to its consumers and enforcing ethical business practices

A spokesperson for 23andMe told Business Insider that it has privacy protections for its customers, and doesn't share data with third parties without consent. Customers can opt into its Research program, but it requires them to consent before joining.

"Roughly 80% of 23andMe customers consent to participate in our research program, which has generated more than 270 peer-reviewed publications uncovering hundreds of new genetic insights into disease," a statement said.

The spokesperson said 23andMe is subject to state and federal consumer privacy and genetic privacy laws similar to HIPAA. However, the company's protocols "offer a more appropriate framework to protect our data than privacy and security program requirements in HIPAA."

"We are committed to protecting customer data and are consistently focused on maintaining the privacy of our customers. That will not change," the statement said.